BY KATIE GOSS ’23
On Sept. 24, the Mount Holyoke Campus Police Department released their annual Clery Act report, updated for the 2019-2020 academic year. Apart from the required crime and fire statistics, the report includes statistics from the past three years in order to give a fuller idea of how much a certain crime reoccurred on and off campus. All statistics only go back as far as 2016.
The Clery Act is a consumer protection law that requires colleges and universities to maintain transparency about campus crime. To comply with requirements, administrations must publicize any updates on crime policy and provide comprehensive crime reports. The most recent report covers 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Crime and fire statistics covered in the Clery Act include incidences of burglary, assault (sexual or otherwise), drug and alcohol abuse and fire.
Since 2016, there have been 30 reported cases of burglary on campus property with 19 cases occurring specifically in the residence halls. There has been only one reported car theft in the last three years.
According to the report, there have been 13 cases of rape reported on campus property, with 10 of them being in residential halls, and one case on public property within the last three years. An additional two instances of sexual assault were reported on campus as well.
Apart from cases of sexual assault, five cases of dating violence were reported on campus property, with three reported on residential property. In stalking cases, six were reported on campus property with two on residential property.
Should a student be raped, stalked or experience domestic or dating violence, the Clery Act advises them to call Campus Police as soon as possible in order to get the necessary help. Other resources include the Title IX coordinator, Dean of Students, Director of Residential Life or Human Resources — or, for a confidential resource, Counseling or Health Services on campus.
After a reported incident, the College will take measures in order to ensure the student’s wellbeing going forward. Some of these actions may include helping students notify local police of an incident, housing and/or work accommodations and changes in transportation. Other academic or general accommodations can be made depending on the incident and will be followed up with afterwards. Any “evidence” — clothes or other relevant objects collected after the incident by police or nurses — will only be used if the student decides to take legal action.
For disciplinary referrals, there have been 19 reported instances involving liquor law violations on campus property, with 15 of them taking place in residential-only areas. There have been 10 reported instances for drug law violations on campus property.
Although marijuana is legal for anyone 21 and over in Massachusetts, it is not legal on campus. If a student does have a medical marijuana prescription, they are instructed to contact the Office of Accessibility Services to find a solution for off-campus use.
Should a student be charged with a drug-related crime while receiving federal student aid, it could affect their eligibility and they could possibly lose it altogether.
As for fires in residence halls, three occurred in 2016, one of which was intentionally set. None occurred in 2017, but two more were reported in 2018, both from microwave malfunctions. In each fire, the damage was less than $100. According to the report, candles and incense are the most frequent fire-starters in residential halls.
The Clery Act report for the new year is posted on Mount Holyoke’s website and is free for anyone to access.